AP Newsbreak: Stabbed fan’s dad to speak

Updated at: 09/28/2013 6:05 PM
By PAUL ELIAS

(AP) SAN FRANCISCO - The father of a Dodgers fan fatality stabbed during a melee with Giants fans is planning to make a public plea for witnesses to the incident after San Francisco’s district attorney said he lacks evidence to charge the man suspected of the killing.

A family member said the victim’s father plans to speak outside the Giants’ stadium before the scheduled 1:05 p.m. PDT Sunday game with the San Diego Padres. Michael Montgomery was released from jail Friday night after the San Francisco district attorney said police had insufficient evidence to charge him in the death of Jonathan Denver.

The district attorney said police had not spoken with any independent witnesses who may have witnessed the fight Wednesday night. Robert Preece believes someone may have recorded the melee with mobile phones, said Preece’s sister Jill Preece Haro.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

The man suspected in the stabbing death of a Los Angeles Dodgers fan after a Dodgers-Giants game in San Francisco has been released from jail as prosecutors seek more evidence before deciding whether to file charges, authorities said.

Michael Montgomery, 21, of Lodi was released shortly after 9 p.m. pending further investigation and could be rearrested, Sheriff’s Department spokeswoman Susan Fahey said.

The release came a few hours after District Attorney George Gascon said his office was not satisfied with the evidence gathered so far and has asked police for more in the death of Jonathan Denver, 24, on Wednesday night a few blocks from AT&T Park.

"We are extremely concerned about the loss of life and want to make sure justice is served," Gascon said in a statement. "In order to meet our ethical obligation in charging this case, we must have a good faith basis to believe we can prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt."

Gascon said not all witnesses had been questioned, and no independent witnesses had been interviewed in the stabbing.

"It is vital for our office to have independent corroboration of the incident in order to meet our ethical obligation to charge this case," Gascon said.

San Francisco police did not immediately respond to messages left seeking comment.

Police Chief Greg Suhr said earlier that Montgomery made "incriminating statements" that led to his booking the night after the stabbing.

Suhr said Denver, 24, was with his father, older brother and two other people a few blocks from the Giants’ ballpark when they exchanged words with some Giants fans.

"The back and forth, `Go Dodgers!’ `Go Giants!’" Suhr said. "And it deteriorated from there."

Montgomery’s father told the Lodi New-Sentinel his son was jumped during the fight, and he stabbed Denver in self-defense after Denver and others yelled "Giants suck" and hit his son and friends without warning.

A second suspect was questioned and released by police earlier Friday.

The stabbing was the latest in years of incidents stemming from one of the most passionate rivalries in American sports.

Two years ago, Giants fan Bryan Stow suffered permanent brain damage when he was attacked in Los Angeles.

There was a moment of silence for Denver before the Dodgers hosted the Colorado Rockies on Friday night.